Disability Awareness Month: The Disability rights are civil rights

The goal of this first program is to educate and engage the audience in the history of disability and the disability rights movement. The program will consist of a presentation to explore the ways in which the foundations of our society are based upon ableist perceptions, values and systems and how these contributed to shaping the disability experience and continued fight for equality. Topics covered in this program presentation will include, but are not limited to: early disability history;; the rise and progression of the disability rights movement; the evolution of the Independent Living movement; and key figures within these movements in the struggle for equal rights that still continues today. Additionally, as March 1 is National Disability Day of Mourning for people with disabilities murdered by family and caregivers, INSILC believes it would be appropriate to offer this program on this date. The facilitators are from Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council (INSILC). INSILC is the statewide voice of Independent Living in Indiana. The organization promotes the independence, productivity, and community integration of individuals with disabilities in all aspects of society. INSILC operates in accordance to the Independent Living Philosophy, which believes that individuals with disabilities should have the same civil rights, equal access, choices, options, and control over their own lives as do individuals without disabilities. As such, INSILC is committed to educating individuals within Indiana on topics impacting the independence of those in the disability community via presentations, trainings and facilitated discussions regarding these matters to change culture, impact policy, and cultivate stronger communities of diversity, equality, and livability. INSILC brings disability leaders with decades of disability experience (both personal & professional) to the table. All INSILC staff are individuals with disabilities and have exceptional knowledge and understanding of the challenges encountered by people with disabilities and how these greatly impact quality of life and the ability to live in the community, work competitively, learn efficiently and play freely.